Death Marks (The Symbolist) (21 page)

Seated beside Redd, Tess felt an overwhelming sense of space, as they flew over the canopy of trees shrouding the Downs. If it were not for the tragedy of the crimes, it would have been a glorious day, but now it was mired in death.

Redd glanced over to her. 'We're coming up to the perimeter of the Medbury estate, so start looking for a break in the trees.'

Surprised, Tess said, '
He must own most of West Sussex.'

Redd shook his head. 'No, but he does have vast acres, hamlets, villages, new-build estates. Look out for large barns as well, near to the woodland.'

'How long have you been flying?'

'Oh years, Esther and I ...' His voice trailed off as he reali
zed he'd said his wife's name. After an abrupt pause, he murmured, 'Flying is in the blood.'

Tests wondered when he would talk about his wife, she knew now from the office rumours that his wife and son suffered a terrible death. He must still be grieving deeply.'

'I love it, but it's not a career; my dream was always to go into the Force. My father died; he'd been suffering for years; I knew I had to get a job; I just couldn't bum around, so I decided to go straight into the police force after university.' He glanced over to her briefly, 'It was cancer.'

Tess said softly, 'I'm so sorry. It's hell; I thought my sister would beat it.'

Redd looked over to see her gripping her hands together. He took hold of her fingers with his free hand. 'Do you get to see her often?'

'As much as I can.'

Redd went quiet for a few moments. 'I'd like to say take some time off, but we need you Tess.'

Tess went silent; her brow furrowed. 'I know, but she's still fighting - it's not ... God I can't say it. I just hope for a miracle.'

'I know what you're going through - not that that's any help.' Breaking the subject, he said, 'Look down there - see it?'

Tess looked to see a clearing in a stretch of forest, nestling between fields of grazing sheep. Taking the plane lower, Redd scrutinized the clearing. 'Just bundles of logs.'

Nodding, Tess said, 'Try the grounds of the Manor, they've got wooded areas there as well.'

As the building appeared below them, she said, '
See over there, a grove of yew trees, deer, a lake - stream - maybe for salmon. Looks quite significant. Only thing is, it's almost an exact copy of the other estates I suppose.'

'Yes, but it gives an idea - hey look over there - in that clearing, by a copse of silver birch.'

'Oh my goodness, sculptures - no sign of a Wicker Man being built though.'

'Hmm, quite a few estates have a stone sculptures and wood carvings. It's a tourist draw, plus the estate owner can play patron to local artists.'

Redd grimaced. 'Okay. We could fly over and see how Jack and Dove are doing at the graveyard. If they do find anything, then it will point the finger at the earl or someone close. There's the field nearby, I can land here.'

It was just a few minutes' walk from the farm to the graveyard. Redd saw Dove dressed in a bunny suit standing by an open grave, hands on hips, lips pursed. Seeing him, she shouted over, '
Hey boss, looks like we found them - quite a few coffins busted open and empty. Seems a desecration.'

The forensic team carefully stacked the mutilated coffins, each tagged with information; other officers logged pieces of decayed wood broken off by the grave robbers. They could pick up vital information, DNA, fingerprints - fibres. Redd felt a rush of hope in his chest, perhaps at last they were getting somewhere.

Engrossed, DS Tomkins exhibits officer, compiled an inventory. He lifted his head to Redd, as he said, 'Once they've done with these sir, I can store them at the Exhibits Office. Give us more to work on.'

'Well done Tomkins. Have we got the room?'

'Yes sir, they're almost in bits anyway and we have three basement rooms almost empty.' The officer looking immaculate even in a bunny suit, beamed as he went back to the stack of ancient coffins.

Smiling, Redd strolled over to Jack, 'We found a group of sculptures in the grounds of Medbury Manor. But, no sign of anything significant. However, I think we should pay the
earl a visit, ask if any of his staff has reported anything unusual on the estate. At least, it's a way in.'

Jack frowned. 'I think we should also put him under discrete surveillance.'

'Yeah, look, I'll see you at the meeting with the DCC tomorrow. Looks like Tits and his toe rag will be present. I just hope the ACC isn't pressing to have Tits put in charge. We've got to come up with something fast Jack.'

'Don't let the bastards get to you. Keep it cool, you'll think of something. Don't forget Maddeley's on your side. Tits is just trying it on.'

'Yeah, well he can go fuck himself.' He stopped short, as he saw Tess walk to his side. Giving her a sheepish grin he said, 'Hey, how about dinner. I know just the place.'

Gemma Rodenbury flipped the eggs over. Luke had mentioned he liked them over easy, so seeing he was such a dish, besides being rampant in bed; she decided to cook him a full English breakfast. After all, it was Sunday, time to relax - have fun. It had been a late night - a night of lust from which she still quivered. They'd been dating for a couple of weeks exchanging kisses that became more heated, as the days went by, but last night was dynamite. Luke was a hunk, a sex bomb on legs, and apart from that, he was interesting. They'd talked for hours until finally succumbing to an especially delicious meal of oysters followed by steak tartare, washed down by a 1998 Shiraz. They shared the strawberries, nipping them from each other's teeth. The coffee whiskey liqueur had them lounging on a spacious settee. Minutes later, a trail of clothes, boxer shorts and a sexy thong, led to the bedroom from which, they did not emerge.

.

Opening the door from a steamy shower, Luke smelt the eggs and bacon frying. His mouth salivated, not only was she sexy; the woman could cook. Usually all he managed was a coffee on the hoof, and an energy bar. Whilst dressing, he idly glanced at Gemma's full wardrobe, a four-door affair, the length of one wall. She certainly loved clothes - one expensive lady. Then he noticed a white outfit with a yellow belt around the hanger. It looked oriental - was she into martial arts? Surprised he wandered into the kitchen, to find Gemma busy piling up his plate with bacon, eggs, hash browns, fried bread, black pudding and sausages. Good God - he thought he'd better marry her.

Cutting up his bacon, he said, 'I must say you're looking particularly delicious this morning. You should have joined me in the shower; I was waiting sponge in hand ready to soap that glorious body of yours.' He grinned, brown eyes sparkling. 'And by the way, I just happened to notice a martial arts outfit. Do I have to be wary of you?'

Gemma laughed. '
Oh that's my dogi - Aikido outfit. I managed to get a yellow belt.'

'Didn't know you were interested in martial arts - you've never mentioned it.'

'I wasn't actually, but my friend married a wife beater. I didn't know he was abusing her. He was sly; he picked the places where the marks didn't show. Anyway, one day he decided not to conceal the battering anymore. She arrived on my doorstep with a face swollen like a pumpkin, black and blue with bloodshot eyes, and a bruised chest. I took her in.'

'Bloody coward, they should have locked him up.'

'She wouldn't press charges. She swore she'd never go back, but then the bastard appeared a day later, on the doorstep; crocodile tears, swearing he'd never touch her again.'

Luke murmured, '
So she went back?'

'Yes. She seemed okay for a couple of months. Then I got a call from the hospital. This time he'd broken her arm, cracked a rib and two teeth.'

'Christ - didn't the police do anything?'

'She got an injunction. He couldn't come within two hundred yards of the house. Or her. Thankfully, she filed for divorce, but he ignored the injunction, still kept turning up at the house. So, the upshot was, she asked me to go with her to Aikido. I agreed.'

'Did you enjoy it?'

'No - I was terrified most of the time; I had to face these men, bear high, in mouth dropping tackles. I used to whisper to them; I wouldn't resist, if they'd just treat me gently, and they could win the round. I wasn't there to prove anything; I was only there for Tina. Then there were the spiteful women. One was quite short and thin with a weasel face. D'you know; she just stared at me and then kicked me in the shin.'

'Wow - what did you do?'

'I wanted to hit her, but then, I used the Aikido move to put her on the ground.'

Munching on a delicious piece of fried bread dipped in spicy fruit sauce, Luke grinned. 'That's my girl.'

'Well I had to learn how to do somersaults, three in a row, now that was the awful bit, but somehow, coward that I am; I managed to do them.'

'What? You can do somersaults?'

Dipping her thickly buttered roll into the runny egg yolk, Gemma said, 'I won't show you now - but yes.'

Luke's eyes glinted. 'Can you show me tonight - naked?'

Bursting into laughter, Gemma, said, 'I can stand on my head too.'

Cutting into the succulent sausage, Luke murmured, 'Now that is a must.'

'Well anyway I decided to stop at the yellow belt.'

'Why?'

'I sprained my wrist in the grading test against a sensei - teacher, who was really rough, but I was determined to carry on. The head sensei was livid with him even though it was an accident and ended up taking me to A & E. I did hear later that he fought the other sensei privately, on the roof of a multi-storied car park. Bizarre I know, but true. It was a question of honour. He was my sensei, and he had allowed another sensei to hurt me.'

'Good God.'

'Because I braved the sprained wrist and carried on with the test, he thought I should be presented with the Sword of Courage. Actually, I wasn't brave at all; I just wanted to finish the whole thing; I was so tired of being terrified. He knew I was frightened of the sword too.'

Luke stopped eating astonished. 'You have a sword?'

'Oh no, I had to use the sword in the ceremony. I hated it - it was the most frightening thing I've ever done.'

'So what happens?'

'The samurai sword is honed razor sharp; I had to stand facing the sensei. Then, I had to take three leaps and bring the sword down on my teacher over his skin, from his head to his toes, missing him by half an inch.'

This time Luke gulped, and put down his knife and fork. 'Jesus Christ.' You did it?'

'Yes. I tried to get out of it, but he insisted. To this day, I don't understand how he could just stand there and let me do it. I wasn't standing still you see; I had to do it from the leap. It took two tries as the first time I missed him by about two inches, and he said that was not close enough. So, I had to go through a session of calming breaths and do it again. He
told me afterwards, he knew I would not harm him, that I was gentle, but tough. I never went back.'

Munching on the fried bread, she said, '
Changing the subject, I'm worried about the presentation tomorrow. I just hope I don't seize up.'

Putting down his knife and fork, Luke grabbed Gemma's hand. 'Of course, you won't - you'll be your usual confident self - elegant - poised and beautiful - you'll smash it.'

Gemma grimaced. 'Let's hope you're right.'

'Come on Gem, this isn't like you.'

'I know; it's just the responsibility. We need their funding; without it, we're finished.'

'Aw come on, we've had significant results - they'll be as excited as hell. We've taken cloning to another level. These people will be jumping at it, triple the funding - you watch'

'Luke, this isn't just about presenting results - it's about people's jobs - their livelihoods - families - mortgages.'

'Look - you're just hedging - it's nerves - it's Trewitt who'll be shitting himself - not you. Be positive - you should be glowing babe; these results will put us on the world stage.'

'Now you are frightening me.'

'Just think about the research - be positive - pretend it's just another day in the lab. Remember your responsibility is to science; just keep that in your mind. Oh yes and your somersaults tonight.' He beamed, relishing the idea of great sex and another great breakfast to follow.

Gemma could not help grinning. 'I'll remember that.'

'Now how about me driving you in today?'

'No thanks Luke - I really don't want the whole lab whispering about us. And as for Trewitt, you know what an old woman he is.'

'I don't know so much about that, the guy eyes up all the women.'

'No he doesn't - he's an old prude.'

'Huh, it's the way he does it -sneaky. You women have no idea. Anyway, are you sure you don't want a lift?'

'Absolutely - I need to do a bit more practicing before I go in.'

'Right, so just as much as I love sitting here talking to my Goddess, I have to go. I promise you, I shall have the front seat, admiring your curvy butt.' Standing up, he pushed away the tall stool and strode over to her, a glint in his eye, cupping her breast in his large hand. 'Or, you could decide to put the whole thing off, and come back to bed with me - one glorious fuck. What'd you say?' As his hand pulled up her skirt, she pushed him away, laughing.

Watching her lover drive off, she bit her lip, just enough time to go over the presentation again. She would face an elite team of specialists - the whole thing was hush-hush - a three-year programme into cloning, and the results did look exciting. Taking a deep breath, she spread the papers over the kitchen table. Luke was so supportive, even though they'd only been together a few weeks, he was sensitive to her moods; knew that she wasn't the elegant figure she put out to the world. Behind this persona, her self-esteem was low.

Pointing her remote control at her newest baby, a cream coloured Volvo, the door opened, whilst the latest stereo system switched on some smoothing music. It was a dream of a car with all the latest safety controls. It almost had a mind of its own. Once inside, the air conditioning switched on automatically. She couldn't believe it was really hers, a child from a tenement, now owning a swish car and living in a detached house in the Downs.

Snug, in the stream of traffic she began practicing her speech. Okay, so it looked like she was talking to herself, but then whilst driving, she often saw people singing along to the radio, or having a conversation on the intercom. Smoothly, she made a right turn into a minor road, leading to a country lane and the Downs. She felt quite privileged to work in an area between the downs near the sea - idyllic.

The car jerked, slowing down almost coming to a stop. Frowning, she checked the petrol; she filled it up last night after leaving work, so that was fine; everything looked okay on the gauges. To her horror, the engine stalled. What was happening? She couldn't afford to be late. As she'd said to Luke, the future of the Research Lab hung on this meeting. With the Government cuts into research, they had little hope of finding another sponsor.

Frowning, she got out; it was no use checking the engine; she didn't know a darn thing about cars. Taking out her mobile, she tapped in the number of her local garage, the car mechanic there was top-notch. As she stood talking into the phone, a smart black BMW pulled up. A man in his fifties, dark haired smartly dressed in a navy business suit got out, and strolled over, a look of concern on his face.

'Everything okay?'

Gemma shrugged her shoulders, as she clicked off the BlackBerry. 'No the darned thing is broken down - damn nuisance - I've got an important meeting.'

'Let me have a look at the engine.'

Why that's very kind of you. I'll go and pop-up the bonnet.'

As the man bent to examine the engine, he said, '
This is superb, funny it should play up. It's a new car too.'

'Yes - I've only had it a few weeks.'

'Hmm - at least you can claim on the warranty.'

Gemma looked over his shoulder, murmuring, 'I must admit I don't know anything about cars.'

'You're lucky; it's one of my hobbies tinkering around with engines.'

She raised her eyebrows; he didn't look the type, what with the slick suit, pale hands and manicured nails. 'Well, it's really good of you to take the time. I hope I'm not holding you up.'

'No, not at all.'

He leant further over engine. 'Hah, I see what's wrong - look - just there.'

Gemma stepped nearer, peering over the streamlined engine. 'I don't know what I'm looking—' Her words were cut off, as he turned abruptly towards her, a white handkerchief bunched in his hand. Her mind raced, oh dear God - chloroform; she'd made a fatal mistake. Raising her hands to ward him off, she kicked him in the shin. Snarling, he stumbled, as she turned to run. The road wasn't far off, but to her terror, she saw another car parked across the road barring any traffic from entering the lane. A strong arm grabbed her by the waist, lifting her off her feet. Shrieking for help, she felt the cloth against her face. Twisting, she fought not to breathe in the lethal fumes, whilst trying to stomp on his feet. Her cries became whimpers, as darkness descended.

.

Gemma came to consciousness, when her head bumped against a rigid surface. Opening her eyes to darkness, panic rose in a scream. As her body rolled and then jolted, she reached out her hands to feel a surface only inches above her. Oh God, where was she? Was she in a box? As she became more aware, she recognized the hum of a car engine. Realizing she was in a car boot, she tried to quell her terror. She felt around for the catch, but in vain. Her mind clearing, Gemma tried to calm down; she had to think of something - a wrench, yes, some kind of tool. Her only chance lay in surprising him, as he bent to get her out of the car. Her fingers scrabbled over the felt floor - nothing.